Emperor’s Domination

Solar Monarch glared at him and said: “Alch-deer, are you asking for a beating, are my fire-essence trees that bad?”

Alch-deer was also an emperor. Alas, he was the youngest and weakest so the others treated him as a junior.

“Ancestor, I’m not saying your trees are bad.” Alch-deer said: “I would be grinning from ear to ear after receiving them as presents. I mean, you took them from Netherflame Abyss, no easy task. Just one is enough to be a defining treasure for a sect, let alone two but…”

He stretched the last word before lowering his voice: “You’re giving it to an ancient ancestor, not us. We don’t know how old he is, but it’s probably that he is older than our progenitor. Thus, are these two trees still sufficient? They might be the same as weed in his eyes.” 

Solar Monarch felt annoyed upon hearing this but maintained his cool demeanor: “My trees taken from the abyss have five million years of accumulated nether fire essence. My numerous flames then gestate them, these trees are special.”

“Yes, special.” Huntblade nodded: “But, Ancestor, my master is offering his mind-refinement flower.”

“Mind-refinement flower?” Solar’s expression changed since he understood the value of this flower - Crimson Virtue’s most prized plant, far more precious than his two trees.

“I’ve been told Ancestor Dragon-pill transferred his Hundred-dao Tee Tree over.” Alch-deer added with a smile.

“He’s willing to part with it?” Solar’s expression turned ugly.

“The ancestor doesn’t care for ordinary plants. Ancestor, I believe your Nine-sun Vine might be suitable.” Alch-deer whispered.

“Is that a joke?! Might as well kill me!” Solar glared at him in response.

“That’s your business, Ancestor. We have delivered the message and will be going now.” Alch-deer shrugged.

“Hmph, don’t even think about it.” Solar snorted.

“Very well, Ancestor.” Alch-deer smiled and pulled Huntblade away.

After their departure, Solar ruminated about the matter and struggled with the decision.

The Nine-sun Vine was out of the question since it contained the grand dao. He thought it would be useful in breaking the limit.

Each sun was unique and contained countless mysteries of the fire affinity. However, the other gifts were too generous and matched his Nine-sun Vine in value. He would lose face by not giving it up.

“Hmph.” He murmured: “My fire-essence trees are rare enough to be the heirlooms of any sect and kingdom.”

He uprooted the two trees and headed for Silence Peak. It would be unfair to say they were stingy gifts since they could fetch sky-high market prices.

***

“To Lost Peak now?” Huntblade looked ahead and asked.

“Who else is worthwhile now?” Alch-deer counted with his fingers: “Two more emperors from the Chen, Goldclad and Lostmetal, Ten-realm Emperor too.”

“And the ancestors?” Huntblade asked.

“Are you sure? You go find Absolute Ancestor, I will visit Tenth-gen Ancestor.” Alch-deer laughed.

“Bah.” Huntblade said: “Visiting Tenth-gen Ancestor is no different from just visiting Ten-realm Emperor, the ancestor never appears anyway.”

“Then I’m essentially visiting two people, you’re getting the better deal.” Alch-deer said.

“I go find Ten-realm Emperor, you can have Absolute Ancestor.” Huntblade said.

“Hehe, forget it, I don’t want to die by interrupting her session.” Alch-deer shuddered.

Absolute Ancestor was a blood descendant of the Jiang. She lived up to her heritage and at the tender age of sixteen, she assaulted Immortal Gate.

The battle resulted in the destruction of its famed Six-cycle Immortal Formation and the death of six emperors.

This firmly established her position in Desolate Frontier and Old World. She later on obtained a sacred anima, becoming a heaven-slayer.

True to her title, she was decisive and murderous to a point. The emperors and desolate gods here feared her to a relative extent.

“Well, it’s not like we can reach the immortal peak anyway.” Huntblade gave up: “Plus, it’s risky asking her for a tribute.”

“Okay, then that leaves us with the Chen’s members and our mission will be finished.” Alch-deer clapped.

“You make it sound so easy.” Huntblade said.

“I’m just the messenger, don’t worry about anything else. It’s not like they like you more.” Alch-deer said.

“Whatever, it’s just a message.” Huntblade said.

Goldblade and Lostmetal were brothers from Centurial Peak. Despite being the current masters of Lost Peak, they were still affiliated with the Chen.

Three main branches existed in Desolate Frontier - Desolate Ancestor’s, Everlasting Jiang’s, and First-gen Chen’s.

Everlasting Jiang’s branch was the oldest and then First-gen Chen’s branch. The youngest was Desolate Ancestor’s branch but it was the strongest.

Everlasting Jiang has always been a supporter of Desolate Ancestor’s branch. Therefore, they were allies in charge of the lineage.

This put them in conflict with the last branch, once the ruler of the lineage before the rise of Desolate Ancestor.

Of course, this didn’t mean the Chen was weak. The issue was Desolate Ancestor’s overwhelming strength. Moreover, she had capable and loyal supporters once she was gone.